Planetary Health reminds us that human health and the health of Earth’s ecosystems are inseparably linked. Today’s accelerating crises are already eroding the foundations of well-being and social equity. These challenges represent the most significant health threats of the 21st century—yet they also open a window of opportunity to rethink how we live, learn, and act (1).
Planetary Health Alliance. (2025). Planetary Health Alliance. Planetary Health Alliance. https:/www.planetaryhealthalliance.org/
Eurocentric health education often focuses on a sickness-based system instead of a health-based system, focusing on individual risk factors and clinical care. Planetary Health expands this lens by integrating ecological and commercial determinants of health, social justice, and intergenerational responsibility. Transformative education goes beyond cognitive learning – it nurtures values, empathy, and participatory skills. This empowers health professionals to serve as trusted voices and change agents in their communities (4).
Momentum is growing worldwide. Planetary Health Education (PHE) has been rapidly expanding across the globe and its importance for health curricula is recognized internationally: The AMEE’s Consensus Statement on Climate Change & Health (CC&H) highlights the urgency of curricular transformation, the World Health Organization (WHO), World Medical Association (WMA) and International Council of Nurses (ICN) are all calling for health workers to be educated on Planetary Health.
In Switzerland, initiatives such as the Planetary Health strategy of the Swiss medical association FMH, the strategy of the Swiss nursing association SBK Pflege 2030, the revised PROFILES catalogue for medical education, and the work of the ETHICH consortium reflect this shift. Together, these strategies emphasize the responsibility and opportunity for health education to lead the way in addressing the socio-ecological crisis.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). COP24 special report: Health and climate change. https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789241514972
Addressing these challenges requires more than technical solutions: it calls for a profound cultural, societal and economic transformation. Health professionals, in particular, hold a unique responsibility: to inspire and mobilize individuals, communities, and institutions for a healthier planet (2). Education is central to this process. In the context of Planetary Health, this means preparing health professionals to:
Traidl-Hoffmann, C., Schulz, C., Herrmann, M., & Simon, B. (2021). Planetary Health—Klima, Umwelt Gesundheit im Anthropozän. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354919730_Planetary_Health_-_Klima_Umwelt_Gesundheit_im_Anthropozan
- Join the Planetary Health Education Network
- Advocate for health equity within planetary boundaries; and
- Actively contribute to the change and co-create health care that respects the planet’s ecological limits (3).
Van Schalkwyk, S. C., Hafler, J., Brewer, T. F., Maley, M. A., Margolis, C., McNamee, L., Meyer, I., Peluso, M. J., Schmutz, A. M., Spak, J. M., Davies, D., & the Bellagio Global Health Education Initiative. (2019). Transformative learning as pedagogy for the health professions: A scoping review. Medical Education, 53(6), 547–558. https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.13804
Links
About PHUSE
The swissuniversities-funded project PHUSE (Planetary Health for Universities’ Sustainability Engagement) is a national initiative to integrate Planetary Health into health-centered study programs, teaching healthcare facilities, and higher education institutions across Switzerland.
Vision
Our vision is to enable future and current health professionals and members of Swiss HEIs to act as agents of change for the socio-ecological transformation, fostering health equity and well-being within the planetary boundaries.
Mission
PHUSE aims to empower students, educators and professionals to become advocates and drivers of the socio-ecological transformation.Therefore we’re committed to embed Planetary Health in health education by:
- Building bridges between universities, healthcare facilities, learners and educators
- Ensuring high-quality, evidence-based Planetary Health teaching
- Promoting innovative teaching methods rooted in transformative learning
- Strengthening collaboration with international initiatives and networks
- Empowering health professionals to advocate for health equity within the planet’s limits
Milestones
Build a national network for Planetary Health education
Develop a national core curriculum on Planetary Health
Create educational material for transformative Planetary Health education
Support and accelerate local institutional integration into curricula
Train Planetary Health Ambassadors
Map Planetary Health education across Switzerland
Provide recommendations for sustainable research practices in health faculties
Promote sustainable clinical practice
Founding Members
The University of Basel is the leading house and coordinates the PHUSE projects. Furthermore, it develops a core curriculum on Planetary Health Education (PHE) for health care students across Switzerland. It fosters national and international exchange, supports the integration of PHE in medical and nursing programs, and facilitates a network of educators and ambassadors to ensure the long-term anchoring of transformative PHE.
Christian Abshagen
project lead
Bea Albermann
project manager
Francine Müller
local coordinator
The ETH Zürich develops this website to share, improve, and map teaching materials on Planetary Health Education across Switzerland. The platform enables interdisciplinary exchange and will prospectively make established educational resources accessible for educational institutions. To monitor the implementation of Planetary Health a designated mapping catalogue will be established that can be integrated in the curriculum mapping tools at each institution.
Jörg Goldhahn
local lead
Tuija Waldvogel
local coordinator
The HES-SO investigates transformative learning experiences in Planetary Health education across Switzerland by systematically comparing them with traditional course formats. It further develops an innovative serious game—co-created with students and the Geneva design school HEAD—to make Planetary Health engaging and interactive, while assessing learning outcomes, critical thinking, and motivation.
Gaël Brulé
local lead
The Swiss TPH develops case studies for Planetary Health education across Switzerland by identifying best practices in teaching hospitals. Using Q-methodology and the Choosing Wisely recommendations, it explores how Planetary Health measures can be promoted in clinical settings. The insights and case studies are distilled into key lessons for health professionals and students, strengthening their integration into teaching materials.
Mirco Winkler
local lead
Sarah Rajkumar
local coordinator
The University of Geneva broadens Planetary Health education across Switzerland to include higher education institution employees; teachers from diverse disciplines, as well as administrative and technical staff. It develops a Planetary Health Fresque including a practical guide with adapted content and translations, fostering reflection and interactivity and promoting broader systemic change.
Johanna Sommer
local lead
Oriane Lander
local coordinator
Raphaël Tornare
local coordinator
The University of Lausanne evaluates how the socio-ecological transformation of the healthcare system is understood and accepted within HEI’s. Through surveys, qualitative studies, and participatory processes at the University, they explore how research and education can adapt to Planetary Health imperatives. The results will inform recommendations for partner institutions to foster sustainability, health equity, and respect for planetary boundaries.
Nicolas Senn
local lead
Andréa Montant
local coordinator
Sarah Michel
local coordinator
Partners
Is Planetary Health already part of your curriculum, or are you planning to integrate it?
Do you want support in implementing the national Core Curriculum on Planetary Health?
Are you interested in innovative, transformative teaching methods?
As an institution, become a PHUSE partner to:
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Connect with institutions across Switzerland advancing Planetary Health education
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Contribute to the development of new educational materials
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Access shared knowledge, resources, and support